A Stage in the City
Paris has a way of becoming part of every story unfolding in its streets. That morning, the city was alive in its quiet corners. A staircase climbing toward the sky. Cobblestones lining the Seine. Péniches resting quietly against the water. It felt like the perfect backdrop to continue a day already filled with creativity.
Earlier that morning, we had photographed a design by Smaranika Sarangi, also paired with a necklace from Butones Jewelry. As the morning unfolded, the mood shifted. This time it was Braxton’s black gown, all silk and lace, that took the stage. Strong, mysterious, impossible to ignore.
Stepping Into Character
Laura Giraudi stepped into a character of quiet strength and magnetic presence in front of the camera. She carried both strength, moving with a quiet confidence that drew everything in. Her long black gloves framed her gestures, the lace whispered of intimacy, and the satin caught the light in a way that felt almost cinematic. Every look she gave was layered with defiance and grace, as if the city belonged to her and she belonged to it.
The Narrative of Place
Each location shaped the story in its own way. On the stone staircase, Laura’s silhouette rose against shuttered windows, timeless and commanding. Along the riverbank, framed by steel, wood, and water, she stood grounded and powerful, yet refined in every detail. Beside the péniches, with the Eiffel Tower in view, Paris felt like part of her gown, woven into the performance itself.
A Continuing Collaboration
This shoot was one of many I have created with Braxton and Butones Jewelry. Working with them is always inspiring, each project revealing something new about their artistry. I am grateful to feature their work again in my upcoming photo book Fashion & Editorial Photography: Sixteen Tales From Around The World.
Contrasts and Presence
For me, fashion photography is about more than clothes. It is about presence, place, and the balance between vulnerability and power. This shoot became a conversation between lace and iron, intimacy and scale, softness and strength. Laura gave herself fully to that balance, turning Paris into an extension of her silhouette. And I am thankful to have been there to capture it.
Photoshoot Credits
- Model: Laura Giraudi
- Fashion Designer: Braxton
- Jewelry Designer: Butones Jewelry
- Photographer: Paul Tocatlian
If you are a brand, designer, model, or creative looking to craft compelling visual stories, I would love to collaborate with you. Let’s bring your vision to life, whether through editorial shoots or runway coverage.
© Paul Tocatlian. All Rights Reserved.
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